J’Aton Couture
(est. 1994, Melbourne)

J’Aton Couture is a luxury fashion house which, over the past two decades, has attracted a global following. First established by designers Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino as a bespoke bridal boutique, the label now also specialises in custom evening and red-carpet gowns. The duo’s Baroque aesthetic pays homage to their Italian heritage, combining opulent fabrics and hand-beaded detailing with exacting fit and tailoring.

J’Aton uses traditional artisanal techniques to craft its gowns, with around 200 garments commissioned annually, each of which takes more than 200 hours to complete. Dresses are designed and created uniquely for individual clients; the designers’ approach adheres to time-honoured haute couture principles while simultaneously embracing experimentation. The pair cut, drape and pin every panel to the wearer’s body. Their sculptural dresses are formed with carefully engineered boning and padding, and brought to life in dramatic and sumptuous fabrics. J’Aton’s distinctive style is grounded in lavish contrasts, juxtaposing the avant-garde and the classic, the luxurious and the raw, the masculine and the feminine, and the past and the present.

Commissioned for Melbourne Now, the designers have created a dramatic, sculptural evening dress in hot pink neoprene that combines digital laser cutting with intricate hand beading.

J’Aton has built a dedicated fanbase among a high-profile celebrity clientele, creating signature looks for the likes of Cate Blanchett, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Dita Von Teese and Kim Kardashian. Its couture bridal gowns have been worn by women across Australia and the world. J’Aton won Best Australian Eveningwear Designer at the Priz de Marie Claire Awards (2009) and the label has garnered numerous other accolades. J’Aton has presented runways at Melbourne Fashion Week, Australian Fashion Week and New York Bridal Fashion Week; exhibited at Melbourne Museum and Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum; and featured in Vogue USA editorials.